> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://flightdeck.saad.sh/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# AeroSpace compatibility

> FlightDeck compatibility and migration guidance.

FlightDeck is a signed and notarized distribution of AeroSpace.

## Upstream release baseline

This branch incorporates AeroSpace [`v0.21.3-Beta`](https://github.com/nikitabobko/AeroSpace/releases/tag/v0.21.3-Beta). FlightDeck retains its own app bundle, signing identity, canonical Homebrew cask, and GitHub release tag. The cask preserves the upstream version (`0.21.3-Beta`), while the macOS app uses the numeric core (`0.21.3`) required by `CFBundleShortVersionString`.
Its goal is to preserve full configuration and CLI compatibility so users can switch without changing their setup.

## Preserved interfaces

The following AeroSpace interfaces are intentionally retained unchanged:

|                            |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
| -------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Interface                  | Details                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
| Config file paths          | `~/.aerospace.toml` and `${XDG_CONFIG_HOME}/aerospace/aerospace.toml` are still loaded. FlightDeck additionally looks for `~/.flightdeck.toml` and `${XDG_CONFIG_HOME}/flightdeck/flightdeck.toml`, which take precedence when present (see [Custom config location](/guide#custom-config-location)) |
| Config syntax              | All TOML keys, types, and default values are identical to AeroSpace                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| Environment variables      | `AEROSPACE_FOCUSED_WORKSPACE`, `AEROSPACE_PREV_WORKSPACE`, `AEROSPACE_INHERITED_*`, and all other `AEROSPACE_*` variables                                                                                                                                                                            |
| IPC socket path            | Same as AeroSpace                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
| `flightdeck config` output | Identical key names and JSON structure to `aerospace config`                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |

## Distribution differences

These are the current differences between FlightDeck and AeroSpace as distributed applications:

|                           |                                                |                                                        |
| ------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| Aspect                    | AeroSpace                                      | FlightDeck                                             |
| CLI executable name       | `aerospace`                                    | `flightdeck`                                           |
| App bundle name           | `AeroSpace.app`                                | `FlightDeck.app`                                       |
| Homebrew cask             | `nikitabobko/tap/aerospace`                    | `saadjs/tap/flightdeck`                                |
| Codesigning               | Not signed (requires manual security approval) | Developer ID signed, notarized, and stapled by Apple   |
| `aerospace` CLI alias     | Provided                                       | Not provided — use `flightdeck`                        |
| Simultaneous installation | —                                              | FlightDeck and AeroSpace should not run simultaneously |

## Config option differences

FlightDeck currently has *no config-option deviations* from AeroSpace.
Every option documented in the [Config Reference](/config-reference) behaves identically to its AeroSpace equivalent.

## Migrating from AeroSpace

1. Quit AeroSpace.
2. Install FlightDeck: `brew install --cask saadjs/tap/flightdeck`.
3. Your existing `~/.aerospace.toml` works without modification.
4. Replace `aerospace` with `flightdeck` in any shell scripts or aliases.
5. Remove any manual AeroSpace security approvals from System Settings → Privacy & Security — FlightDeck is notarized and does not require them.

## Upstream issue links

Some FlightDeck config options carry links to [AeroSpace issues](https://github.com/nikitabobko/AeroSpace/issues) as provenance.
These links remain valid because the underlying behavior is identical and the upstream tracker provides the original context and discussion.